City of Basketball Love

By Andrew Robinson (@ADRobinson3) +
Owen McCue (@Owen_McCue)
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There are plenty of talented players across the state, many of them filling up the roster of the top girls 5A and 6A teams still left playing. While the list of great players in the area is bountiful, there are some studs in the Central and Western parts of the state as well.

Here are a few of the girls names from outside the year you many not be aware who could make some noise in the PIAA Tournament set to begin this weekend:

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6A

Evalyse Cole (Sr. | F | Easton)
Cole was named MVP of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference this season. She’s a 6-foot-1 forward who can stretch her game out to the 3-point line. The Monmouth commit can also block shots on the defensive end.

Kailah Correa (Jr. | G | Lebanon)
Correa, a 5-4 guard who suits up with some of the top local players with Philly Rise, has a handful of Division I offers, including one from La Salle in November. She was a second team all-state selection last season and eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for her career back in December. A 42-point outing earlier this season highlights the ability she brings to the table.

Laila Jones (Soph. | G | Wilson)
The 5-foot-7 point guard is a big-time scorer, earning first team All-Berks County honors. She’s one of four sophomores in the starting lineup for a young Wilson team. She can push the ball and has some impressive handles to create space.

Kellie McConnell (Sr. | G | North Allegheny)
McConnell is a 5-3 guard headed to Duquesne next year. Her mother Sherri (Hannan) McConnell played for the Dukes and her cousin Megan McConnell is currently there, while one of her other cousins is former Philadelphia 76ers player T.J. McConnell. She earned first team all-section honors along with teammate Lydia Betz.

Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore (Soph. | G/F | Altoona)
Nguyen-Moore is the most intriguing prospect for the District 6 champions, already picking up an offer from Delaware. The 5-foot-6 guard is a strong driver and also willing to get her teammates involved. She has to play more of a point forward role on a small team.

Natalie Wetzel (Jr. | F | Peters Twp.)
The 6-3 forward was a first team all-state selection last season and is already a 1,000-point scorer. She’s a sought after recruit with a multitude of Division I offers, including St. Joe’s and a double-double threat every time she steps on the floor.

Talia Zurinskas (Sr. | G | Parkland)
Zurinskas joined Cole, her AAU teammate, on the All-Eastern Pennsylvania Conference first team. The 5-7 guard is headed to Lafayette next year. She’s a two-way point guard who can playmake on both ends with teammate Madison Siggins (East Stroudsburg) certainly a player to keep an eye on as well.

5A

London Creach (Jr. | G | Oakland Catholic)
Creach did pick up an injury in the WPIAL quarterfinals and did not play in the semis, so here’s to hoping she can return for states because the 5-foot-8 guard brings plenty of burst in the backcourt. A dynamic athlete with a quick first step and strong defensive anticipation, she’s able to apply steady pressure on both sides of the ball.  A first team selection in the WPIAL’s Section 3, Creach has collected several Division I offers as a player on the rise. 

Erica Hall (Sr. | F | South Fayette)
The Mercyhurst recruit has ably stepped into a lead role for the three-time WPIAL champions. A 5-foot-11 forward and first team WPIAL selection in Section 4, Hall has a well-rounded offensive game that extends out to the arc and inside where she’s also a top rebounder for the Lions. She doesn’t have to be at the forefront for South Fayette to win, but she’ll at least be an integral part of it.

Cici Hernandez (Sr. | G | Bethlehem Catholic)
One of the best all-around players in District 11 the past few years - an all-state selection last year backs that up - there really isn’t much Hernandez can’t do. She runs the point for the Hawks, can absolutely fill it up from deep and stood out as a playmaker during Becahi’s dominant run to an eighth straight district title. The senior, who hasn’t committed to a college yet, is also a very capable defender.

Jayden McBride (Sr. | F | Cathedral Prep)
The youngest of the McBride sisters heads into her final state tournament looking to bring home an elusive title. Jayden, a first team all-state pick last year, has committed to Georgetown and follows her sisters Karlee (Indiana) and Kayla (Notre Dame) to the Division I level, Kayla going on to a decade-long career in the WNBA. At 5-foot-10, McBride can score from all over the floor and she’s a strong presence on the glass.

Siena Ondecko (Sr. | F | Northern York)
Versatility defines the Polar Bears’ lineup and the 6-foot Ondecko brings it in spades. She can shoot from the perimeter, she can handle the ball, she can score inside and she’s an excellent defensive player to boot. The senior, who will play soccer at Penn State-Harrisburg, can create numerous matchup problems.

Janay Rissmiller (Sr. | G | York Suburban)
The engine for the District 3 champions, the 5-foot-6 Rissmiller is a tremendous competitor on both sides of the ball. An all-state selection last year, the University of Mary Washington recruit is a slashing scorer but also chalks up assists, rebounds and guards the opponent’s top option. She made the game-winning free throws in overtime to win the D3 title.

Emma Paul (Sr. | G | Armstrong)
Paul’s college future is on the softball field, the Fairmont State recruit a first team all-state shortstop, but she’s going to have to balance spring practice with a state run for at least a few days. A heady point guard, Paul is also a lights-out shooter who averages 21 points per game including a 45-point game in January. She’s just 5-foot-3, but Paul is a big reason why Armstrong played for a WPIAL title.

Zya Small (Fr. | F | Scranton)
She’ll likely take care of this herself, but put Small’s name on the list of those to remember for the next few years. At 6-foot-1 with a rangy wingspan, Small quickly established herself as a force on both ends. On defense, she’s been swatting shots left and right all year while offensively, she’s not limited to the post. Small already has a few Division I offers to her name.